CANIGE is an important institution in the country's efforts to improve child development and education resources for its citizens.

CANIGE was established in 1984 at the beginning of the country's efforts to fight marginalization and change attitudes toward women in Equatorial Guinea society. The First Lady has been one of CANIGE's strongest supporters for nearly 30 years.

"I would like to highlight that our fight against marginalization was the inspiration behind the establishment of a non-governmental organization called CANIGE, Committee for the Support of the Equatoguinean Child," the First Lady said during a recent award ceremony held by the Voice of African Mothers,.

"With the creation of CANIGE, we assumed the commitment to be fully involved in the care, protection, training and integral promotion of the Equatoguinean child… because we believe they should be the center of our individual and collective efforts in order to obtain the United Nations objectives for the development of the millennium."

The First Lady has long championed efforts to promote social development, improve the status of women, and provide resources for children, at home and throughout the Africa continent. She said that she hopes the new CANIGE building will become a center for developing programs to improve the quality of life for all Equatoguineans.

About Equatorial GuineaThe Republic of Equatorial Guinea (Republica deGuinea Ecuatorial) is the only Spanish-speaking country in Africa, and one of the smallest nations on the continent. In the late-1990s, American companies helped discover the country's oil and natural gas resources, which only within the last five years began contributing to the global energy supply. Equatorial Guinea is now working to serve as a pillar of stability and security in its region of West Central Africa. The country hosted the 2011 Summit of the African Union. For more information, visit http://www.guineaecuatorialpress.com.